Mail-rack.



T. V. GALLAGHER.

MAIL RACK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 31. I916.

1,225 1239 Patented May 8, 1917.

THOMAS V. GALLAGHER, OF LEADVILLE, COLORADO.

MAIL-RACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 1917.

Application filed July 31, 1916. Serial No. 112,353.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS V. GALLA- GHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Leadville, in the county of Lake and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail- Racks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improved mail rack of that character commonly used in postofiices or on mail trains, or by carriers for delivering mail in rural districts.

It is usual for the carrier, before leaving the distributing oflice, to arrange the mail in such manner as to facilitate its prompt and accurate delivery, it being also a usual regulation to route together mail in the different classes for each patron in the order in which the respective mail boxes along the route are reached. Heretofore, it has been quite a common custom to assort the mail in this manner in pigeon holes and then subsequently tie or strap the bundles together. This method is objectionable in that considerable difficulty is experienced in obtaining prompt access to the packages of mail and there is liability of the same being badly disarranged.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and serviceable device whereby the mail matter may be quickly and accurately assorted and the several packages simultaneously tied or strapped as they are placed in the rack.

It is another and more particular object of my invention to provide a mail routing rack embodying a suitable base having a plurality of rows of spaced parallel pins fixed therein, said rows of pins being so arranged with respect to each other that an elastic binder may be arranged upon certain selected pins in the adjacent rows in such manner as to facilitate the application of the binder to the package of mail when the same is inserted between the rows of rack pins.

It is a further general object of my invention to produce a device for the above purpose, which is exceedingly simple and inexpensive in its construction, though strong and durable and highly serviceable and convenient in practical use.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved routing rack, showing one of the binders arranged thereon and illustrating in dotted lines the manner of applying the binder to the package;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the rack; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the binder applied to a package of mail.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 designates the base of my improved rack which is secured by a number of screws, indicated at 6, upon a desk wall or other suitable support. Upon the opposite longitudinal edges of this base plate, the bars 7 are riveted, as indicated at 8, and in each of these bars a plurality of spaced, parallel pins 9 are fixed at one of their ends.

The tie or binder for the mail package consists of continuous, intersecting elastic bands 10 and 11 respectively, the band 10 being relatively short and adapted for engagement around the narrower dimension of the mail pack, while the other band 11 is of considerably greater length to extend longitudinally around the mail pack. These bands at their points of intersection, are stitched or otherwise securely fixed to each other.

In the use of the invention, the shorter elastic band 10 is engaged over the corresponding pins 9 in the two adjacent rows of the rack, it being understood, of course,

that this band will be disposed over' the.

required number of pins in accordance with the thickness of the mail pack so as to dispose its longitudinal parallel portions in proper spaced relation to receive the pack. One end portion of the longer elastic band 11 is also engaged over the pins of the right hand row on which the band 10 is arranged, while the other portion of the band 11 remains loose. After the mail matter has been assembled in a package, it is inserted endwise, as indicated in dotted lines, between the parallel portions of the band 10 and engaged upon the loose end portion of the band 11. The other end portion of this latter band is then drawn ofi of the pins 9 and around the end of the mail pack. The pack is then removed, and in such removal the tie bands are, of course, also removed from the rack. The elastic bands are thus engaged upon the mail pack, around the same, in directions at right angles to each other so that they will securely bind the several pieces of mail and obviate all possibility of their loss or disarrangement.

It is to be understood that a large number of the elastic binders may be arranged upon the same rack pins, said binders being successively removed with the mail packs in the manner above explained. It is also to be understood that the rack base 5 may be provided with any desired number of the rows of pins 9. After a short period of use, the carrier will be able to very easily and quickly apply the binders to the packages of mail andwithout necessitating the independent manipulation of a number of straps or hands, the tying together of cord ends, or the use of other fastening means.

' The invention is exceedingly simple in its construction and may obviously be produced at small manufacturing cost.

While I have shown and described the preferred construction and arrangement of the several parts of the device, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of considerable modification therein and I, therefore, reserve the privilege of adopting all such legitimate changes as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is 1. Means for binding mail packages including supports spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit a mail package to be inserted between the same, and an elastic cruciform binder having one of its loops engaged upon the supports and held open thereby to receive the mail package, said package in its insertion being fitted within one end of the other binder loop, the other end of the latter loop being extended around the opposite end of the envelop pack, whereby when the pack is removed from between the supports, the binder is likewise disengaged from the supports with the binder loops extending around the package in intersecting relation to each other.

2. Means for binding mail packages including pairs of supporting pins spaced apart a suflicient distance to permit an envelop pack to be inserted between them, and an elastic binder consisting of two continuous bands secured to each other in intersecting relation, one of said bands being engaged upon the spaced pairs of pins and held open thereby to receive the envelop pack, said pack in its insertion being en gaged within one end of the other elastic band, the other end of the latter band being disposed over one pair of pins and adapted to be withdrawn. therefrom and engaged over the other end of the envelop pack, whereby when the envelop pack is withdrawn, the elastic binder is disengaged from the pins with the bands extending at right angles to each other and around the en velop pack.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS V. GALLAGHER.

Witnesses:

SARAH L. ROCHE, HENRY It. PENDERY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

